Quote from: rrhf on August 26, 2013, 08:30:39 AM
Gaelic Football when played between 2 good teams is about momentum for the winners. Either team let loose will destroy the other in their spell.The referee did not let tyrone take advantage of the momentum and dominance and kept Mayo in touch, this was not reciprocated later in the game. I heard the term arrogance being used to describe the performance. It was as if his mind was made up as to what was to happen before it happened and there was to be no changing. Hence the Mayo free when they could have had a goal, but bear in mind Tyrone had stopped. A different referee and O Shea was off the field also. But back to the game and what Tyrone could have done to win it..
The loss of Stevie O Neill and Harte was ultimately disastrous. Despite some nice points. The work rate from the full forward line wasnt up to scratch hence the opening point from play after 32mins - ironically young Coney improved this but the game was over.
Tyrone were carrying 6 - 7 subs in their programme who would have been more or less making their debut had they been brought into action, in other words they probably shouldnt have been there or we should have seen more that them over the year. I wonder what some of the lads on their last legs think of this idea of giving them bench experience for next year. Next year is a never never. Tyrone have got to few enough semifinals to have this attitude. There are a number of footballers who need to thanked and let go, they have been injured perennially over the last few years and are now starting to look like they are a poor investment in time, focus and physio bills - sometimes the body just isnt fit for county demands and management need to look at this.. Tyrone need to pick proven fit men for their panel next year. The onus should be on footballers to prove their strength and athletic capability for the rigours of a season. I feel our management could communicate better with clubs going forward and guys should rehabilitate with their clubs until they are fit to return for their county. Sean Cavanagh must also be made captain - I think he has earned it more than anyone.
I sincerely hope Mayo push on now. They still start games weak and had Tyrone been allowed to push further in front the result would have been the same as last years final. . I fear that Mayo are still a confidence team and that can be fragile enough at times particularly when they are on front of goals They must work on that. They are a class act in full flow, but they will not get kind punditry or refereeing V Dubs or Kerry. I also fear that their best team isnt starting and there are no room for passengers on and off the field. Their supporters are a class act and iits up to the team to deliver for them. Horan has the makings of an ai winning manager, I hope they do it and I will be there to cheer them on, having seen them beat in 6 finals previously, I swore I would never go back but this year might be different. On a lesser note I watched on as a so called steward giving dogs abuse to Tyrone fans in front of me being totally unprofessional and antagonising, totally buying the rte line, and instead of doing his job creating a potential problem. This will be the ultimate legacy of rte punditry - a lack of respect for Tyrone football people. Amongst other things do these guys get paid? What happens when the steward at some point gets a well deserved slap for their auld guff.
Finally it was a decent season for Tyrone football. No silverware but a top 4 finish and it was highly enjoyable, as Tyrone folk we thank our management and players for their hard work, and new plans can be hatched in time.
All told I think Mickey and the management team will be delighted with their progress this season. We are in a rebuilding process after all. An excellent league showing built confidence for a good championship run. The Donegal defeat was a kick in the teeth but analysis of the stats would have shown we were more than competitive and a six point loss wasn't a reflection on that. As for the championship I think a quarter final berth was the aim.....the fact we reached the semi was a bonus and the experience gained from that for the majority of the lads can't be bought. Things rarely go as planned during games....the injury to Harte was a massive blow as he was an important cog in the wheel for us.....Stevie going off less so given he was replaced by Ronan who in my opinion should have had much more game time this season to bring him on, despite the fact he was returning from serious injury. I would expect one or two more retirements now from the older players. Yesterday's game will have demonstrated that we can be as competitive as any team in the country, and that you can have all the fancy footballers in the world but 99 times out of 100 hunger, steel and stubbornness will win the day. Some of the less experienced lads will know that now. I thought the two best players on the pitch for us yesterday were Colm and McGinley.... We are short a couple of players and I'm sure there will be new faces on the panel come the new year. A year ahead of where I thought we would be...another 2 and we will be challenging in finals and not semis!